Coolest race I’ve ever seen in person. Was my first night race too. I was about 10 years old and can remember the whole crowd holding out 3 fingers the last few laps. Crazy night
@@exxcaliburs6002 I was way younger but I actually remember a pretty solid crowd especially compared to some of the more recent races at Daytona I’ve been too.
I personally love seeing the #3 back on the track in some form. I don't care who is driving it. If Dale Jr. doesn't want to drive it because he can't handle the memories then he shouldn't have to, but I still love seeing the 3 because Dale Earnhardt was my uncle's favorite driver of all time. He had everything Earnhardt Sr. and even left me his #3 coat when he passed away last year. So every time I watch NASCAR and see the #3 on the track, whether it's Jr. or Dillon, I am reminded of days I'd watch it with him, and I LOVE it every time.
Oh man,absolutely. The Wrangler 3 cars and dating back to the 2 car were just so sick. They were way before my time but those and the 8 Nova are my favs
I watched this live cause I wanted to see him race that car, there were some people who said NASCAR scripted this race to give Jr the win to give everyone comfort. Honestly I don't think so, I think people forget that the whole Earnhardt family is very talented at superspeedways and they can see the draft and they have a lot of success at these races. When I watched this race I was hoping he wouldn't wreak, I wanted to see him at least finish, cause the last thought I had of the #3 at Daytona was a crash, so I wanted it to end with a finish. When he won I was all emotional. It was nice to see
@ 9 years ago but I can kinda piece it together. It’s more like a figure of speech that NASCAR uses. You can’t actually see the aerodynamics on a car. The Earnhardt family has always been good at restrictor plates because they understand it the best. Figuring out how to manipulate a run at the perfect time going that fast is so challenging to do
I was there I about tackled my buddy down the stairs but this was special I grew up idolizing Dale Earnhardt and am a huge Jr fan and will miss seeing him full time and I'm just happy that I have Harvick to cheer on next year and this year as well
Can you imagine what it would have felt like to win in your late father’s car. I can’t imagine. Love this team. Love this driver. AD does good in the 3 too. He’s no Earnhardt but Earnhardt would be proud of him too.
No he wouldn't, Austin is a rat bastard cunt. AD doesn't even deserve the ride, let alone the 3 car. Dale would be pissed with Richard for being such a limp wristed bitch.
I can still vividly remember watching this race live on Direct TV, screaming at the top of my lungs at how close a few times they came to pass him, I was on edge until the checkered flag waved.
I don't think this race was rigged, if NASCAR was rigging races Dale Jr. would have obviously won a ton more races. Remember the car Jr. drove at Dega with a paint scheme similar of Sr.'s #3, he didn't win. But also I don't think the drivers behind him tried their absolute best either. Because if they did, they would have committed career suicide. No sponsors would have picked up a driver that the fans unanimously hated.
Junior is one of the top 5 restrictor plate drivers of all time so all that old talk bout Nascar gave him the win is bullshit like the 2001 Pepsi 400 . Time has proved that at Daytona and Talladega he his always a threat to win and along with his 4 straight at Talladega and 2 Daytona 500 wins and look at all the times he finished 2nd in those races. I was 21 when I saw Junior win in 2001 and heard all the criticism that it was staged but 5 years later he proved it was no fluke and before his Father died in 2000 he was leading at both Talladega and Daytona but came up short. Read more
@@dalejr183 i mean seriously, his father was sometimes called "mr. restrictor plate" it is no surprise at all that jr was great at the superspeedways, he learned a lot from his father.
@@Hihellobyeoh I do I watched that race live as I did all he races in 2001 when I was 21 but he got allot a crap from the hatters back then I remember that bs the early days of social media in 2001
The number should be retired unless Jr requested it which he never would again. Simple as that. I know it’s Richards number but Austin is an embarrassment to the number. They could’ve Atleast changed the font of the number 3 for austion
Jr made a name for himself in the 8. Him driving the 3 is nothing new to me. He drove the no.3 ac delco chevy in the busch series in the late 90's. What a way to honor his Father tho. We miss you Dale!!
The fact Dale Jr doesnt want to run the black 3 or any 3 for that matter, is out of respect for his Grandmother, who doesn't want to see the black 3 on the track.
@Rocket Man Wtf how could you say such a thing though? Wish you the best of luck in life seems like you need it as you're a very low person. Nice insult to Dale sr. but it was weak as shit js.
Watching this replay it's always awesome seeing Jr win in the 3 car but I miss Dodge being in the sport and those Challengers they ran in the Busch series
Keep this in mind as well, back in 2002, Dale Earnhardt Jr also won in the 3 RCR car in the 1st Nationwide Series race following Dale Earnhardt Sr's death at Daytona. (In 2001 there was just the February Daytona race) I think he also ran the 3 car at Charlotte later that year but crashed.
Man it would've been tough being one of his kids. Him and Dale Jr I think we're for the first time in their lives starting to get along and have a good relationship a year or so before Dale Sr's accident..
I’m pretty sure this was the first race I ever watched. I don’t really remember it, but I remember Dale winning, and thinking it was Dale Sr out there winning the race. I guess part of him was there.
I think Jr just wanted to be himself. Driving his father's car doesn't create his own legacy, it just furthers his dad's in the minds of the seemingly endless number of fans who worship the #3 in that way. Jr probably wanted to make his NASCAR career his own: something that defined him instead of his father. And he pretty much did through both the #8 and the #88.
Kinda funny that people are complaining about the Dillon brothers driving number 3 cars on the track because it's ruining Earnhardt's legacy, but they fail to realize that Richard Childress drove it long before Dale. It's Richards number, not Dale's. They had a talk about a year or two before Dale died about who would drive the 3 car should Dale pass, they both agreed to keep it within the family of Dale or Richard should Jr not race the 3, which he didn't. Jr is driving the 88, which in my opinion is even more iconic because his grandad drove the 8, which inspired Dale Sr to drive, and then inspired all of Sr's sons to drive. Just be glad nobody is ruining the 8 car because if it wasn't for Ralph, daddy's boy Jr would never even be in NASCAR.
Remember, Dale never owned the car, Richard Childress did and still does. Also, did Almirola, Lebonte, Allmendinger, Sorenson, Andretti, Hamilton, Green, Wison, or Fittipaldi, win 7 titles and 200 races in the 43? No? Well, I guess that logic just flew right out the window, huh? Richard Petty owns the 43 and can do what he wants with it. Same with Childress, he owns the 3, he chooses when he uses it, who drives it, etc.
John Stephenson Music he's free to do as he wishes with the number dude. no one said he didnt own the 3. i'm simply stating the earnhardt was the best ever in the 3 and the most recognizable. most dont even though childress drove lolol. thanks for the logic lesson though
Context is key. The context used when you wrote your comment implied that you were saying I was wrong and Dale was the best in the car so my original comment didn't matter. If that's not what you were trying to say, you should've written it out, or at least in a way where someone wouldn't have confused it with a negative meaning than what it really meant.
I remember some people thinking NASCAR rigged this race. So idiotic. I can't believe Junior pulled this one out, but I'm so glad he did. Remember, this was at the height of Junior's struggles in the Cup Series. I also remember some people suggesting maybe he should move down to Xfinity around this time and him being offended about it.
You can tell when Dale Jr. said, " I just want everyone to be happy" , he's been through so much. What a good heart.
The only one that earn that number 3 was the Earnhardt,s they were an always will be number 3,s drivers great job Jr.
The number 3 was owned by Richard Children's racing and if Dei owned the rights to the number Dale jr would have been the one to take it
I don’t blame u at all Dale cause WE ARE happy for ya (as a 2 time D-500 winner) 😉 I love u buddy (#8 FOREVER!!)
I love that he used the 3 once, not only won but won Daytona and said that’s it. Mission accomplished 3🖤
He used the 3 once before and won at Daytona in 2002. It was the RCR Oreo car in the season opening Busch race.
he also raced 2 years in Xfinity with the 3
After his father's death, he meant one-offs.
Yeah. Teresa was a true coont for not giving him the 8. Jarret was a true G for letting Jr run the 88 before he even retired.
You know running Dayton, had to Raddel him.
Just with Tony Jr, would have stayed with him.
dale jr is a class act he really cares about his family and co workers he puts people before himself, consider me a fan!
The old man was with him that night you could tell =)
The old man was riding shotgun
I love the honesty at the end
"What'd you see at the end when you looked at the crowd?"
"I couldn't really see much, a lot of sweat."
Good win Jr
Coolest race I’ve ever seen in person. Was my first night race too. I was about 10 years old and can remember the whole crowd holding out 3 fingers the last few laps. Crazy night
It was rigged
@@wildestcowboy2668 wdym rigged!!?
Why was the crowd so small?
@@exxcaliburs6002 I was way younger but I actually remember a pretty solid crowd especially compared to some of the more recent races at Daytona I’ve been too.
Dad was proud that day, Dale Earnhardt Sr is a legend and always will be a legend💯
Daddy would be proud of Dale Jr for this
Rest in peace dale sr he will always race beside his son and be with his family and fans
A Dale Earnhardt Jr. moment that brought a tear to the eye of millions of fans all around the world.
I love that he won in his daddies blue and yellow throwback scheme
You can never go wrong being a fan of a guy like Dale Jr. always putting others before himself humble and down to earth...........
I was there when he won this race and let me tell you. There wasn't one person not rooting for him on that night. Great moment in sports
Now that is who should be driving that car!
Only Dale Jr. should be racing the #3 car.
All Access Gaming he gave it away cause his grandma said it reminds her of the day dale died so he doesnt drive it
Lawrence Novak yes
@@JLOCLamborghiniFan88 he didint want to
@@JLOCLamborghiniFan88 he didint want to
Jr will retire after 2017. Thanks for the memories!
7 years later..2024..HES BACK!!!
I personally love seeing the #3 back on the track in some form. I don't care who is driving it. If Dale Jr. doesn't want to drive it because he can't handle the memories then he shouldn't have to, but I still love seeing the 3 because Dale Earnhardt was my uncle's favorite driver of all time. He had everything Earnhardt Sr. and even left me his #3 coat when he passed away last year. So every time I watch NASCAR and see the #3 on the track, whether it's Jr. or Dillon, I am reminded of days I'd watch it with him, and I LOVE it every time.
The 3, was Jr's original number.
Dillion, is keeping the tradition a live.
This video made me tear up so many times. R.I.P Dale St.
+Chevrolet 88 Dale street? I think you meant Sr.
Im dead
just like dale sr
Same here
I love the Goodwrench car but that Wrangler car is slick
Oh man,absolutely. The Wrangler 3 cars and dating back to the 2 car were just so sick. They were way before my time but those and the 8 Nova are my favs
But tbh i still pefer the black car cause it absolutely represented what Dale Earnhardt was like on the race track
Imagine what jr had to carry on his shoulders,his dads fans, he sums it up when he says hell I just want everyone to be happy. What a class act.
You are not just lucky, Dale. You earned all the things!
This will always be my favorite Jr win, so cool to watch live
I watched this live cause I wanted to see him race that car, there were some people who said NASCAR scripted this race to give Jr the win to give everyone comfort. Honestly I don't think so, I think people forget that the whole Earnhardt family is very talented at superspeedways and they can see the draft and they have a lot of success at these races. When I watched this race I was hoping he wouldn't wreak, I wanted to see him at least finish, cause the last thought I had of the #3 at Daytona was a crash, so I wanted it to end with a finish. When he won I was all emotional. It was nice to see
I realise you wrote this 9 years ago, but what did you mean about that "they can see the draft" ?
See the draft?
@ 9 years ago but I can kinda piece it together. It’s more like a figure of speech that NASCAR uses. You can’t actually see the aerodynamics on a car. The Earnhardt family has always been good at restrictor plates because they understand it the best. Figuring out how to manipulate a run at the perfect time going that fast is so challenging to do
@@jamesjackson8119 thanks buddy 👋
I was there I about tackled my buddy down the stairs but this was special I grew up idolizing Dale Earnhardt and am a huge Jr fan and will miss seeing him full time and I'm just happy that I have Harvick to cheer on next year and this year as well
Can you imagine what it would have felt like to win in your late father’s car. I can’t imagine. Love this team. Love this driver. AD does good in the 3 too. He’s no Earnhardt but Earnhardt would be proud of him too.
No he wouldn't, Austin is a rat bastard cunt. AD doesn't even deserve the ride, let alone the 3 car. Dale would be pissed with Richard for being such a limp wristed bitch.
“No, we don’t have any plans to bring the 3 back after this”-Richard 2010
We’ve been bamboozled
I can still vividly remember watching this race live on Direct TV, screaming at the top of my lungs at how close a few times they came to pass him, I was on edge until the checkered flag waved.
I was at this race with my dad and uncle and they boath had tears rolling
I don't think this race was rigged, if NASCAR was rigging races Dale Jr. would have obviously won a ton more races. Remember the car Jr. drove at Dega with a paint scheme similar of Sr.'s #3, he didn't win. But also I don't think the drivers behind him tried their absolute best either. Because if they did, they would have committed career suicide. No sponsors would have picked up a driver that the fans unanimously hated.
+Sam Harris STP 500 2016
SickBabySeals if nascar was rigged jr would have won the 2001 cup championship
Junior is one of the top 5 restrictor plate drivers of all time so all that old talk bout Nascar gave him the win is bullshit like the 2001 Pepsi 400 . Time has proved that at Daytona and Talladega he his always a threat to win and along with his 4 straight at Talladega and 2 Daytona 500 wins and look at all the times he finished 2nd in those races. I was 21 when I saw Junior win in 2001 and heard all the criticism that it was staged but 5 years later he proved it was no fluke and before his Father died in 2000 he was leading at both Talladega and Daytona but came up short.
Read more
@@dalejr183 i mean seriously, his father was sometimes called "mr. restrictor plate" it is no surprise at all that jr was great at the superspeedways, he learned a lot from his father.
@@Hihellobyeoh I do I watched that race live as I did all he races in 2001 when I was 21 but he got allot a crap from the hatters back then I remember that bs the early days of social media in 2001
He has always been such a good person. His daddy did well raising respectful kids.
Great job Dale Earnhardt Jr. I'm proud of you! Your dad would be very proud of you! We are going to miss you!
One of the brilliant victory in Nascar history. I miss Dale Sr.
I won tickets to this race from a guy doing trivia in the midway. Was never a big Jr fan but witnessing this race was something special.
This Video is pretty emotional. R.I.P Dale Earnhardt Sr. And great job to jr, an amazing generation of the Earnhardt Family
Dale Jr is such a cool, kind & genuine person! Very grateful to have watched him and his dad race!
I remember me and my parents watching this race and crying, and none of us watched NASCAR until 2007.
Imagine this as a rushed interview on the start finish line before cutting over to soccer. Bring back victory lane interviews!
God bless you Dale Jr!
Sr would be proud of how jr raced that night but the smile that stays on his face is the type of man jr became, rip sr and live on jr
This is the first video to move me to tears, thank you.
Dale jr and Jeffery should be the only ones to ride to #3
No offense to Jeffrey but he's not a good driver
The number should be retired unless Jr requested it which he never would again. Simple as that. I know it’s Richards number but Austin is an embarrassment to the number. They could’ve Atleast changed the font of the number 3 for austion
@@obs.vanness1604 But Sr wanted Richard to keep running the #3
Imagine the heat a driver would get if they won that race with that legendary number on the Track.
Jr made a name for himself in the 8. Him driving the 3 is nothing new to me. He drove the no.3 ac delco chevy in the busch series in the late 90's. What a way to honor his Father tho. We miss you Dale!!
This guy deserves the number not that Dillon kid
Junior doesn't want his Dad's number
Dale Jr said he doesn't want to race it.
C. L. Rule if he doesn't want to race it he doesn't
The fact Dale Jr doesnt want to run the black 3 or any 3 for that matter, is out of respect for his Grandmother, who doesn't want to see the black 3 on the track.
Notty VonDutch I don't wanna see any 3 on the track
What a wonderful moment!!!
AB called Jr's '01 Pepsi 400 win & it was ironically cool he called this race.
Man I remember I was there in the stands when I was young...dude, I cheered so loud when he won.
Man he's literally put so much pressure on himself his entire career, he's gonna be missed
even if your not a earnhardt fan, everyone has major respect for Jr. he's just a good man and a true sportsman.
Ever time Jr. Is leading at Daytona that black number 3 is pushing him to the win. R.I.P Sr.
Ten years later. Dale Jr is a NASCAR Hall Of Famer.
I fell asleep while watching this race, my mom wrote me a note on the whiteboard in my kitchen. I cried. I cry everytime I watch it
Awesome win and the wrangler car so many feelings
well ill be damned....
for ever a fan of this dude
Jarred from subway peeping in the background. Good for him.
My favorite car, looks wise.
Man, that things beautiful!!!
Jr has a huge Hart we're all proud of you. I remember that race not a dry eye in the room
I was watching that race in 2010 and I was cheering on for dale Earnhardt jr
No one to do it better than the Earnhardt’s
I remember that day like it was yesterday, goosebumps are sticking out, and the nostalgic value of this is priceless.
Dale senior with the greatest of all time but Junior was my favorite driver too bad he retired
@Rocket Man Wtf how could you say such a thing though? Wish you the best of luck in life seems like you need it as you're a very low person. Nice insult to Dale sr. but it was weak as shit js.
@@DoctorRickSanchez he's right on one thing Sr wasn't a good father to Jr even Jr said it himself
@Lexy Thomas really?
Watching this replay it's always awesome seeing Jr win in the 3 car but I miss Dodge being in the sport and those Challengers they ran in the Busch series
What a great tribute for his Dad and to come out with a win!
Keep this in mind as well, back in 2002, Dale Earnhardt Jr also won in the 3 RCR car in the 1st Nationwide Series race following Dale Earnhardt Sr's death at Daytona. (In 2001 there was just the February Daytona race) I think he also ran the 3 car at Charlotte later that year but crashed.
He and his dad will be legends. No questions.
Poetic.
This race and the 2011 Daytona truck race you know dale sr was looking down with the biggest smile
That “daddy” comment 😢
If this is Juniors last win in the Nationwide Series, it'd be a hell of a way to go out. Remember this race...and me crying afterwords...haha.
Man it would've been tough being one of his kids. Him and Dale Jr I think we're for the first time in their lives starting to get along and have a good relationship a year or so before Dale Sr's accident..
The #3 will always be Earnhardt Sr.'s number always but seeing other drivers continue his legacy by racing #3 probably is making him very happy. :)
That 88, being behind Jr, was crazy.
You made your old man proud Jr. #3 is back and you helped it win the race.
I do have to say this was a very good race for me only because this is a great tribute for dale jrs dad
Polish victory lap there at the end just made it better
I’m pretty sure this was the first race I ever watched. I don’t really remember it, but I remember Dale winning, and thinking it was Dale Sr out there winning the race. I guess part of him was there.
That Wrangler car is beautiful 🤩
What a great race that was!
Hearing the, “you got it man” on the 4th turn was them hoping it wasn’t gonna happen again
You know what I like dale earnhardt jr,has the same sponsor of dale sr in this race
The quality on this is great
yes thay did and i am happy that thay did and it looks like his dads sperit is still at the track
I am a Dale Earnhardt jr fan
I rip dale he will allwas be beside his son when he is racing
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 3#. What yes
3... A number above all... Except an owners grandson.
Grayson Gilbert do I think Jr should have raced the 3 car but he could not handle the emotions after he died but on a side note rip sr
I think Jr just wanted to be himself. Driving his father's car doesn't create his own legacy, it just furthers his dad's in the minds of the seemingly endless number of fans who worship the #3 in that way. Jr probably wanted to make his NASCAR career his own: something that defined him instead of his father. And he pretty much did through both the #8 and the #88.
Sr would have never had issues with Richards grandson running that 3
HE'S BACK
Man he is so honest. I don’t know how anyone can not be a fan of this kid. Post career as well
Gives me goosebumps every time I watch this
I remember this day bro. I was track side for that interview bro. Dale Jr is cool bro.
Kinda funny that people are complaining about the Dillon brothers driving number 3 cars on the track because it's ruining Earnhardt's legacy, but they fail to realize that Richard Childress drove it long before Dale. It's Richards number, not Dale's. They had a talk about a year or two before Dale died about who would drive the 3 car should Dale pass, they both agreed to keep it within the family of Dale or Richard should Jr not race the 3, which he didn't. Jr is driving the 88, which in my opinion is even more iconic because his grandad drove the 8, which inspired Dale Sr to drive, and then inspired all of Sr's sons to drive. Just be glad nobody is ruining the 8 car because if it wasn't for Ralph, daddy's boy Jr would never even be in NASCAR.
Well said! Respect!
does childress have 7 titles? no? were remember the best in the 3 car.
Remember, Dale never owned the car, Richard Childress did and still does. Also, did Almirola, Lebonte, Allmendinger, Sorenson, Andretti, Hamilton, Green, Wison, or Fittipaldi, win 7 titles and 200 races in the 43? No? Well, I guess that logic just flew right out the window, huh? Richard Petty owns the 43 and can do what he wants with it. Same with Childress, he owns the 3, he chooses when he uses it, who drives it, etc.
John Stephenson Music he's free to do as he wishes with the number dude. no one said he didnt own the 3. i'm simply stating the earnhardt was the best ever in the 3 and the most recognizable. most dont even though childress drove lolol. thanks for the logic lesson though
Context is key. The context used when you wrote your comment implied that you were saying I was wrong and Dale was the best in the car so my original comment didn't matter. If that's not what you were trying to say, you should've written it out, or at least in a way where someone wouldn't have confused it with a negative meaning than what it really meant.
His old man would say to him "only you should drive the #3" and I tell you what his dad was in the passenger seat that night
We all needed this win junior thank you😭😭😭
I'm a grown ass man who's watched racing for 34 years, and I still cry every time I see this
They let him win. Drivers held back. You can tell
I know that Sr is proud of his son win or lose
I was there that day. Very good race!
As a die hard Earnhardt fan, i never knew this happened. I have tonsay i qquit watching when they introduced the "COT" car. Pretty badass👍
Can't believe he brought the 3 back for his grandson. He NEVER deserved it! That's when a lot of fans left NASCAR for good
Hell yeah JR that car looks damn good !
I remember some people thinking NASCAR rigged this race. So idiotic. I can't believe Junior pulled this one out, but I'm so glad he did. Remember, this was at the height of Junior's struggles in the Cup Series. I also remember some people suggesting maybe he should move down to Xfinity around this time and him being offended about it.
2024 still tearing up